Evaluation of return assistance programs

• Research unit: SEM
• Project number: EVAL 12_01

Key words (English)

Migration, Asyl, Rückkehr

Short description (English)

The present report assesses the Swiss Voluntary Return and Reintegration assistance
2005-2011, implemented by the Federal Office for Migration (FOM) together with the
cantons, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and other federal offices.
Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (both country specific programmes and
individual assistance for returnees) is one of Switzerland’s instruments for managing
migration.

Public policy examined (English)

Hilfe für freiwillige Rückkehr / Reintegration

Legal basis for the evaluation (English)

Return assistance is governed by the Asylum Act (specifically Article 93) and by the Asylum
Decree 2 on Financial Issues (specifically chapter 6).

Relation to the policy priorities of the Federal Council (English)

Migrationsaussenpolitik

Executive summary/ Recommendation (English)

Return

The current practice of the preparation and
realisation of return is to be largely
maintained.

The time span between an individual’s or a
family’s decision to return under AVRR and
the actual return should be as short as
possible.

The preparation or validation of a detailed
reintegration project should be done mainly
after return, with a vie to achieve better
feasibility.
Reintegration

The different forms of reintegration
assistance are to be continued.

Although the financial aspect of AVRR is not
decisive for the motivation to return, it is to be
maintained.

FOM should review the amounts of
reintegration assistance according to country
specific conditions and increase or decrease
reintegration assistance where warranted.

Options for a more direct and visible linking of
AVRR programmes to structural aid are to be
examined.

FOM, with the support of SDC (Migration and
Development) and other actors, should also
consider the provision of reintegration support
through a development perspective for the
countries of return.
Cooperation with Partner Countries

Efforts to establish migration agreements with
countries showing no clear interest should be
discontinued.

Switzerland is to continue to apply and to
intensify its “whole of government” approach
when negotiating migration agreements and
when implementing them.

Publication language (English)

englisch

Publications / Results (English)

Bundesamt für Migration
Direktionsbereich Internationale Zusammenarbeit
Sektion Dritt- und Herkunftstaaten

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